How to Start an LLC in Florida
Learn how to start an LLC in Florida: Articles of Organization, state filing fee, registered agent requirements, and what to expect after you file.
Bizee Editorial Staff
Editorial Team
Florida LLC at a glance
Filing fee: $125 (online filing via Sunbiz)
Processing time: 3–5 business days online; 5–7 business days by mail
State agency: Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) — dos.fl.gov/sunbiz
Annual report due: January 1 – May 1 each year; $138.75 filing fee
State tax rate: No personal income tax in Florida; 5.5% corporate income tax applies only if LLC elects C Corporation taxation
How to form a Florida LLC
Forming an LLC in Florida means filing Articles of Organization with the Florida Division of Corporations, paying a $125 state filing fee, and appointing a registered agent with a physical Florida address. Most online filings are processed in 3–5 business days. Florida has no personal income tax, which makes it one of the more tax-friendly states for small business owners.
Step 1: Choose a name for your LLC
Your LLC name must include "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C." and must be distinguishable from other registered businesses in Florida. You can check name availability for free through the Sunbiz name search at dos.fl.gov/sunbiz before you file.
If you're not ready to file right away, Florida allows you to reserve a business name for 120 days for a $25 fee. Most people skip the reservation and file directly — it's faster and the name is locked in once the state approves your Articles of Organization.
Step 2: Choose a registered agent
Every Florida LLC must have a registered agent — a person or business with a physical street address in Florida that is open during regular business hours to accept legal notices and service of process on behalf of your LLC.
You can serve as your own registered agent if you have a Florida street address, or you can appoint a member, manager, or a commercial registered agent service. The registered agent's name and Florida address must appear on your Articles of Organization when you file.
Using a commercial registered agent keeps your personal address off public records — something worth considering if you run your business from home.
Step 3: File your Articles of Organization
The Articles of Organization is the official formation document for your Florida LLC. You file it with the Florida Division of Corporations through Sunbiz at dos.fl.gov/sunbiz. The state filing fee is $125 for online submissions.
Your Articles of Organization need to include your LLC name, principal place of business address, registered agent name and Florida street address, and the name and address of each organizer. Online filing is the fastest option — most filings are approved in 3–5 business days. Mail filings take 5–7 business days.
If the state rejects your filing — usually because of a name conflict or a missing field — you can correct and resubmit without paying the fee again, as long as you respond within the timeframe noted in the rejection notice.
Step 4: Create an operating agreement
Florida does not require LLCs to have an operating agreement, but having one is worth the effort. An operating agreement sets out how your LLC is owned, how decisions get made, and how profits are divided among members.
Without one, Florida's default LLC statutes govern your business — which may not reflect what you and your co-owners actually agreed to. For single-member LLCs, an operating agreement also helps reinforce that your business is a separate legal entity, which matters if your liability protection is ever challenged.
Step 5: Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a federal tax ID issued by the IRS. You'll need one to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file federal taxes. Single-member LLCs with no employees can sometimes use a Social Security number instead, but an EIN keeps your personal number off business documents.
You can apply for an EIN for free at irs.gov/ein. The online application takes about 10 minutes and issues your EIN immediately. There's no state fee for this step — it's a federal process.
Step 6: Stay compliant after formation
After your LLC is approved, Florida requires you to file an annual report each year to keep your business in good standing. The annual report window opens January 1 and closes May 1. The filing fee is $138.75. Missing the May 1 deadline triggers a $400 late fee.
Florida also requires you to maintain a registered agent at all times. If your registered agent's address changes or they resign, you need to update that information with the state promptly — an LLC without a registered agent on file can be administratively dissolved.
Depending on your business type and location, you may also need a Florida business license or local occupational license. Requirements vary by county and industry, so check with your local county clerk's office to figure out what applies to you.
Frequently asked questions
The state filing fee to form a Florida LLC is $125, paid to the Florida Division of Corporations when you file your Articles of Organization online through Sunbiz. That's the only required state fee at formation. After your first year, you'll owe a $138.75 annual report fee each year to keep your LLC in good standing.
No. Florida requires a $125 state filing fee to form an LLC — there's no way to waive it. What you can do is handle the filing yourself at no additional cost, or use a formation platform that covers its own fees and charges only the state fee. Either way, the $125 goes directly to the state.
Online filings through Sunbiz are generally processed in 3–5 business days. Mail filings take 5–7 business days. Florida does not currently offer a same-day or 24-hour expedited processing option for standard LLC formations, so online filing is the fastest route available.
Yes. Florida law requires every LLC to maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in Florida — a P.O. box is not allowed. The registered agent must be available during regular business hours to receive legal notices and service of process. You can serve as your own registered agent, appoint a member or manager, or use a commercial registered agent service.
You file your Articles of Organization with the Florida Division of Corporations through its online portal at dos.fl.gov/sunbiz. You can also file by mail, but online filing is faster and confirms receipt immediately. The filing fee is $125 regardless of which method you choose.
No. Florida does not require LLCs to have an operating agreement, and you don't file one with the state. That said, having one is worth doing — it documents how your LLC is owned and managed, and it can protect your liability shield if your business structure is ever questioned. For multi-member LLCs especially, it prevents disputes down the road.
Yes. Florida LLCs must file an annual report each year between January 1 and May 1. The filing fee is $138.75. If you miss the May 1 deadline, a $400 late fee is added. You file through Sunbiz at dos.fl.gov/sunbiz. Missing the annual report two years in a row can result in the state administratively dissolving your LLC.
Yes. If your LLC was formed in another state but you want to do business in Florida, you need to register as a foreign LLC with the Florida Division of Corporations. The registration fee is $125. You'll also need to appoint a Florida registered agent. A foreign LLC registration does not create a new LLC — it authorizes your existing LLC to operate in Florida.
